My Story – Cristina Pastor

Hello, my name is Christina Pastor. I recently came from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, with my five children, who range in age from 1 to 13 years old. I had recently been laid off from my position as a restaurant manager at Kentucky Fried Chicken and came to Buffalo because my father lives here.

Through the Department of Social Services, I was sent to Goodwill Industries of Western New York (Buffalo) to participate in the Workfare Program. Workfare is a program which assists individuals with employment as well as many other things. While at Goodwill, I was assisted by one of the job developers, who was able to get me employment at a newly opened restaurant called Roly Poly.

I love my job. It is one big family. I have great hours! I work Monday through Friday, 9 to 6. I don’t work weekends. I have time for my children, which I was unable to do while I was in Florida.

The people at Goodwill are there to call if I have a problem. At Christmas, they contact churches that adopt families and purchase gifts for their children. They arranged for my family to receive gifts, which is a big relief for me. Seeing as I have five children, money is very tight, so this really came in very handy. It is nice to know that Goodwill doesn’t stop helping you after you leave the program.

I continue to stay in contact with Kyle, the Workfare manager and my job developer at Goodwill, who assisted me with daycare, transportation and continued education. I’m hoping to be able to go back to school and take some evening classes. My job developer at Goodwill will assist me.

And finally, I have things to look forward to. I am eager to take classes and take advantage of each and every opportunity that the program at Goodwill has brought my way.